Contact laser turbinate surgery for the treatment of idiopathic rhinitis.

To evaluate the value of contact laser turbinate surgery using a diode laser in the treatment of idiopathic rhinitis. 53 patients were examined before and after surgery. Six months following surgery, nasal obstruction was significantly improved and a significant decrease in nasal airway resistance was noted on active rhinomanometric measurements (P < 0.05). There were no significant post-operative changes in olfactory acuity using the butanol threshold test and in mucociliary transport using the saccharin transit time. The results of this study suggest that contact laser turbinate surgery may be a valuable alternative form of surgical treatments for patients with idiopathic rhinitis.